Read article: Scientists discover that like-charged particles can sometimes attract Structure and properties Research update Scientists discover that like-charged particles can sometimes attract Findings contradict central electromagnetic principle that the force between like charges is always repulsive
Read article: Quantum simulator visualizes large-scale entanglement in materials Quantum Research update Quantum simulator visualizes large-scale entanglement in materials Result draws on 50-year-old theorem from quantum field theory to make entanglement measurement more efficient
Read article: Cubic ice observed in pure form for the first time Structure and properties Research update Cubic ice observed in pure form for the first time Unusual phase develops when water freezes on interfaces at low temperatures
Read article: Surprising heat transfer behaviour seen in new semiconductor under pressure Devices and structures Research update Surprising heat transfer behaviour seen in new semiconductor under pressure The anomalous behaviour of boron arsenide under pressure could change the way we think about heat transport under extreme conditions, like those found in the Earth’s interior
Read article: ‘Coherent optical engineering’ turns opaque material temporarily transparent Structure and properties Research update ‘Coherent optical engineering’ turns opaque material temporarily transparent New approach could also be used to create artificial materials such as exotic quantum magnets
Read article: Quantum material ‘learns’ like a living creature Structure and properties Research update Quantum material ‘learns’ like a living creature Discovery of habituation and sensitization behaviours in a Mott insulator could inspire new algorithms for artificial intelligence
Read article: Top tips for super sandcastles: explore the weird world of sand Structure and properties Feature Top tips for super sandcastles: explore the weird world of sand What do we really know about the science of sandcastles? Ian Randall grabs his bucket and spade to explore the weird world of sand science
Read article: Ice microfibres are super flexible and springy Advanced materials Research update Ice microfibres are super flexible and springy Flexible ice microfibres could be used to create environmental sensors, as low-loss optical waveguides or to study ice physics
Read article: Fast electrons catch badly behaved quantum dots in the act Structure and properties Research update Fast electrons catch badly behaved quantum dots in the act New technique allows scientists to pinpoint causes of low light emission in real time and could pave the way for more efficient devices
Read article: Time crystals enter the real world of condensed matter Structure and properties Feature Time crystals enter the real world of condensed matter Peter Hannaford and Krzysztof Sacha ask whether we can realize condensed-matter phenomena exhibited by ordinary spatial crystals in the time dimension